A mother’s worst nightmare came true after she was told her 14-year-old non-verbal autistic daughter was physically harmed at IDEA Mays Academy.

Kristen Dickerson says her daughter Rosalie Dickerson is normally a happy child who loves art, playing on her phone, and spending time with her family. But her mother says when Rosalie flinched as her dad leaned in for a hug, she knew something wasn’t right.

“Friday she was upset,” Kristen Dickerson said. “She was combative. She didn’t want to sit next to anybody. She didn’t want anyone to touch her.”

Kristen Dickerson says she asked her daughter’s teacher if anything happened at school and was told everything was fine. But when she dropped her daughter off at school the following Monday a teacher greeted her outside telling her the principal wanted to speak with her. According to Kristen Dickerson she was told an incident had been reported by two staff members who witnessed a teacher dragging her child. But she said the principal reassured her it wasn’t a big deal.

“I guess she was upset and she kind of grabbed her by the forearm and pulled her,” Kristen Dickerson said. “She pulled her so hard that Rosalie fell. Instead of pulling Rosalie up she continued to pull and basically dragged her in the hallway.

The mother says the teacher left bruises on her daughter’s arm.

“How dare you put your hands on a child that can’t defend themselves,” Kristen Dickerson said. “Somebody that trusted you, you betrayed that trust and hurt them when they can’t defend themselves.”

IDEA Public Schools gave the following statement:

IDEA Mays is aware of an incident that occurred this week involving an employee who allegedly displayed behavior that does not align with IDEA’s values. As soon as the matter was brought to our attention, campus leadership took immediate action. IDEA Public Schools does not tolerate any behavior that compromises the physical or emotional safety of our students. The employee has been placed on administrative leave pending a thorough investigation. Since this is an open investigation, we cannot provide any further information.

SAPD says no arrests were made at the time because the teacher was not at the school when they were called, but this is still an active investigation.